I am a Hockey Fan. But strangely, I don't feel any allegiance to any one team in particular. (Growing up it was the Oilers - but wow, it's hard to cheer for that Team these days).

I like players mostly. I like my Pool Team first and foremost.

But, in general, I like teams that display a solid fighting spirit despite the controversy surrounding them. I like the underdog. I generally pick a team near the beginning of the Season, and I blog about and support that team.

Three years ago, I was supporting the Flyers. Two years ago, the Islanders. Last Season, The Sens.

This Season - in light of last year's spectacular collapse in Game 7 against the Bruins (sniff.) - I HAD to support the Leafs. I mean, really. How could you NOT have wanted the Leafs to do well this Season? They've been through enough.

And really, I don't know what's worse. With 16 games remaining, the Leafs were in THIRD! I was just about to write to you guys to stir the pot a little - but I laid off for a while. I actually wrote on my Facebook Status on that day: "I am a Leafs' Fan." and boy - you should have seen the pot that THAT stirred. Anyway, then, I watched - almost like a cosmic, ironic joke - as the Leafs inexplicably lost 14 of 16. What the HELL was that.

For the record, I don't think there is anything wrong with that Team; and I still maintain that the Leafs got a great deal in bringing over Kessel. There is no explanation for that epic collapse. Maybe they started reading the papers. I don't know. They are a good team, solid core group, and Kessel is a genuine SuperStar.

Having said all of that... The Clarkson and Phaneuf contracts are starting to look like a waste of money. Raymond is going to want more. Lupul seems to have reverted back into an "injury-prone" player. And Kadri didn't quite develop they way Leaf Fans were hoping. It's going to be tough for them going forward.

I probably won't be a Leafs' Fan next year. We'll see. I'll keep you posted. I feel sorry for your Canucks too. That was a brutal Season. Oh, and the Oilers. Ugh......

...Anyway, that was long-winded. I like Players more than Teams. And yes, I really like Kessel. He's my boy. (I won my Olympic Hockey Pool after selecting Kessel 4th overall to gasps from the crowd. Boo yah.).

I get it, and though long winded, you did explain yourself well! I too had Kessel in an Olympic pool that i won, however, it was a box pool and many also had him.

As much as i pile on at times, i too feel bad for the Leafs and their fans! I've actually found myself cheering for them in past playoffs when the Canucks aren't around, just like i did Calgary and Edm on their runs to the cup.

Cheering for your pool team is also a lot of fun. It's funny though, at least in my case, i can have a guy like Patrick Kane on my team but detest the Blackhawks (only for the pain and suffering they've caused me over the past 5 years) and yet enjoy seeing him do well. Winning pools / money does that to a person i guess?

That Leaf collapse was simply incredible! NO ONE could have seen that coming. I did say earlier in the year that being outshot would catch up with them as i didn't think you could rely on goaltending forever, but no way did i see them missing the playoffs when they were in 3rd so close to the end!!! It's really inexplicable!!!

So, who're you cheering for in the playoffs? Me, i'm rooting for a SJ vs Montreal final, though as a betting man, i was picking SJ / Boston.